[Ctd] Alexandar Malich - Africa Movie Academy Awards

[paul.kholer paul.kholer]

The AfricaMovie Academy Awards (AMAA) will take on a new sheen in 2007, as
host state Bayelsa, Nigeria has pulled out the stops for the third edition
of the event.

The African Movie Academy Awards, which bring together filmmakers,
directors, producers, make-up artists and actors from across the African
continent, has been held in Bayelsa since the first edition of the even tin
2005.

His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan, Governor of Bayelsa State, has great
ambitions for the States partnership with AMAA, citing the tourism spin-offs
as a major incentive in the infrastructural development of the state. One of
Nigeria best-kept secret, Bayelsa has the countries longest coastline and
boasts enviable beaches. The provinces long-term development plans include
the construction of a five star hotel, two three star hotels which will be
complete by 2007, as well as a convention centre that will be completed by
2008.

In many respects, Bayelsa started from zero-base explains Governor Jonathan.
This is a new province, created 10 years ago, in 1996. At the time, it was
like a stereotypical African village negligible infrastructural development,
with a small population. Since then, we have managed to channel resources in
such a way that the state has grown to the extent that it can host an
international event such as the African Movie Academy Awards. Moreover, we
are nowhere near finished with the development, either. Our five-year plan
will make us a tourism destination of choice, and the AMAAs are a firm part
of making that a reality.

The 2006 edition of the African Movie Academy Awards witnessed 100
representatives from over 12African countries participating in the event,
and attending the ceremony. The long term vision for the AMAA's is that it
will comprise of a 10 day cultural programme, showcasing the arts and crafts
of Bayelsa and other participating nations, water sports, and a multifaceted
arts programme. This years programme starts with a Praise Jam and continues
the week with the Niger delta boat race and African music festival all this
will make Bayelsa a beehive of activity between the 3-10th of March 2007.

The AMAA's rely hugely on the support of ordinary Bayelsans to succeed
comments Peace Anyiam-osigwe executive producer of the AMAA's. It was
important to us that we locate this event in a place where the leadership
believed in the concept, and the citizenry demonstrated their pride in
hosting the ceremony. In this regard, Bayelsa State has been the perfect
choice for the AMAA's " to be able to bring the African continent to
Nigeria, and have the host state show an unparalleled level of goodwill is
truly heart-warming.

Indeed, as the AMAA's wind up the entries submissions period which closes on
December 30th, 2006, organisers are confident that the logistical
preparations being made by Bayelsa will stand the event in good stead next
year.

We have already begun communicating with hoteliers about AMAA 2007 says
Governor Jonathan we want to make sure that all preparations are on track
for this event. It is a wonderful tool for us to show off the beauty of our
state, the hospitality of the people and most importantly, the incredible
potential that Bayelsa represents.

The governor is equally candid about negative reports about the region due
to disputes over oil profits. These incidents of unrest have taken place,
and it's important that issues of community expectations to oil profits
should be resolved. By the same token, however, it's crucial to point out
that the reports are often exaggerated and sensationalized, which is
regrettable that an unfortunate incident that takes place in one of the oil
rigs will be blown out of proportion to implicate the entire region. This
hampers our development goals, and we trust that visitors to Bayelsa will
spread the word that the area is very safe. In fact, this is one of our
nation's most crime-free zones.

-- 
Alexandar Malich
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